Top 5 free agents who are still without a club

Most professional football players play until their skills and physique are eroded due to ageing limbs. Mid-thirties is the age when most individuals call it quits. Some rare ones carry on even further. However, there is a minority who stop playing due to the most fundamental reason: they don't have a club to play for.

When we hear the term 'free agent', the transfers of LeBron James and Andrea Pirlo come straight to mind. But there are numerous free agents who are not so by choice. They are devoid of a club because simply put, nobody wants them.

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Often such players are - with all due respect to them - not elite level players. But during this transfer window, certain individuals of calibre have gone unnoticed and are without a club as of now. On that note, here are 5 good free agents who still haven't been signed.

#5 Samir Nasri

Last club : Antalyaspor

Nasri had a hugely successful time in the Premier League, plying his trade with Arsenal and Manchester City. He won two league titles in Manchester and produced dazzling displays at both the English clubs.

The Frenchman chiefly operated on the wings, with his skill and dribbling abilities making up for his lack of searing pace. He scored 53 goals in England and contributed 36 assists as well which are hugely impressive totals.

In 2016 he was loaned out to Sevilla and subsequently, City sold him to Turkish side Antalyspor in 2017. Nasri's career spiralled downward mainly due to his commitment issues and behaviour in the dressing room; his ability was never in question.

Nasri, now 31 and without a club, is still capable of playing at a high level. Any mid-table side in Europe could do with such a bargain.

#4 Hatem Ben Arfa

Last club: Paris Saint-Germain

Ben Arfa did not play a single game last season

Ben Arfa is a player who one feels never really achieved his full potential. He played for Lyon and Marseille early on before moving to Newcastle United. He showed glimpses of brilliance on Tyneside which included a memorable solo goal against Bolton in April 2012.

After that, he moved to Nice, where he enjoyed his most productive season as he netted in 17 league goals in the 2015-16 campaign. Ligue 1 champions PSG plucked him due to those goals in the next season.

But Ben Arfa did not thrive in Paris as the more illustrious forwards limited his game time and his work ethic was found wanting. The 2017-18 season turned out to be the lowest point in his professional career as he did not play even a single game for PSG. He must really be counting his lucky stars as his contract expired this June.

However, as of yet, no club has signed him which is unbelievable due to his innate talent. His attitude can be improved but surely some club can make use of his attacking brilliance?

#3 Milan Badelj

Last club: Fiorentina

Badelj left Fiorentina despite their request for him to stay

Badelj was a regular for Fiorentina for the last four years, as was the case with his previous clubs Dinamo Zagreb and Hamburger SV. A deep-lying midfielder, the Croatian is an experienced player who has more than 300 club appearances and 40 international caps.

He was part of the Croatian squad who reached the FIFA World Cup final in Russia and scored a goal as well. A well-disciplined and talented midfielder, Badelj is a good passer of the ball.

Fiorentina wanted to keep Badelj in Florence but he refused to extend his contract. "The career of a football player is not very long, and I am unfortunately not ready to stay at Fiorentina forever," he said.

Badelj was linked to a move to AC Milan but nothing has materialised as of now. A player of his calibre should get a club by the end of the window but if he does not, then you bet Fiorentina's president will be hiding a smirk.

#2 Bernard

Last club: Shakhtar Donetsk

Bernard had a good season with Shakhtar

Bernard had a good season out at Shakhtar last time, netting 10 goals in 29 appearances, certainly a decent haul for a winger. However, his comments on the 2014 Ukranian Revolution made his situation murky. His words rubbed the fans the wrong way and he said that he would leave if the need persisted. Eventually, he did not extend his contract and left the club.

An adept winger, Bernard's low centre of gravity has boosted his dribbling skills. He was part of the Brazil squad of the 2014 World Cup and played in the 7-1 demolition by Germany. Shakhtar signed him from Atletico Mineiro for €25 million in 2013, which was a hefty amount at the time.

Aged just 25, Bernard is yet to hit his peak years and can be a valuable addition to numerous sides. Take a chance, fellas!

#1 Max Meyer

Last club: Schalke

Meyer, 22, is without a club despite his talent

Meyer has highly rated a couple of years ago but finds himself without a club this offseason. A hugely talented midfielder, Meyer was a regular at the Gelsenkirchen Arena for about five years until his relations with the club turned sour.

His disagreements with sporting director Christian Heidel took turn for the worse. "I simply did not want to stay with Schalke and work under Heidel. It's all about this. Lately, it just feels like bullying to me," he said in April.

Due to this, he did not sign a new contract. He has also been accused of being overconfident and has demanded more control in the team. Having scored just 22 times in 191 Schalke appearances, Meyer was not a finished product but was demanding treatment like one.

Still just 22, Meyer has a bright future ahead of him if given the right foundation. Tottenham and Arsenal were interested but a move did not materialise. But he will play somewhere, surely not?